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Unlike most electric cars, the
only time a Chevrolet Volt
really needs a charge
attached to it is when you buy
it in the first place!
And when it goes on sale in the
UK next year, the Volt will cost
from £28,545 after the
government backed £5,000
electric vehicle grant, making
it less expensive than some
traditional petrol or diesel
engined five-door hatchbacks.
Of
course, by plugging it in,
you’ll save yourself a fortune.
The Volt has an electric-only
range of between 30 and 50 miles
depending on terrain and traffic
conditions, after which its
on-board generator kicks in to
sustain battery power.
Unlike conventional hybrids, the
electric drivetrain – known as
E-REV, Extended-Range Electric
Vehicle – directly powers the
car’s wheels. The petrol engine
is there to simply prevent the
battery going flat, thus
eliminating the fear of ‘range
anxiety’ experienced by users of
other electric vehicles, who are
dependent on a limited range and
a charging infrastructure before
they can use their cars without
compromise.
Yet if the driver is only
commuting, he or she need never
put any petrol in the car,
meaning it only ever needs
fuelling for longer journeys.
The Volt’s technology is so
clever that it has won the car
multiple awards in the USA,
where it was crowned North
American Car of the Year, as
well as winning similar plaudits
from major titles Motor
Trend and Automobile
Magazine.
Chevrolet chose to announce the
UK pricing of the Volt, which
comes to showrooms in
right-hand-drive form in Spring
2012, at the Goodwood Festival
of Speed, where the
US-manufacturer was celebrating
its centenary.
“We wanted to back up a century
of progress with our vision for
the next century,” said
Chevrolet UK Managing Director,
Mark Terry. “Except it’s more
than a vision, it’s a reality.”
“The Volt is a truly incredible
car – the first ever
compromise-free electric car
with zero-emissions capability.
You can use it for going to work
and back during the week without
ever putting fuel in, but it’s
also an electric car that you
can use for a family holiday.
There are never any concerns
that a flat battery will leave
you stranded.”
All UK Volts will come with full
leather interior as standard,
adding a touch of luxury to the
world of electric commuting. |
